Mechanism and arrangement for static and dynamic adjustment of submersible pumps associated with a floating platform

ABSTRACT

In an amphibious or flotational device for supporting one or more submersible pumps, the flotational device is structurally configured to provide the means for enabling both static and dynamic positioning of the submersible pumps at selected depths below the flotational device, and to provide means for improved pay-out and storage of flexible piping that enables improved dynamic positioning of the submersible pumps.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to floating platform assemblies structured forsupporting one or more submersible pumps, and specifically relates tomechanisms and arrangements for enabling the lowering of suchsubmersible pumps to selected depths below the floating platformemploying static and dynamic means.

STATEMENT OF THE RELATED ART

Amphibious or flotation apparatus for supporting various equipment in orover a body of water have been known and used for several decades. Mostnotably, amphibious platforms have been used to support dredgingapparatus in or over bodies of water to mine and/or dredge material fromthe bottom of a body of water. Examples of such devices are described inU.S. Pat. No. 4,680,879 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,701.

The use of flotation devices for supporting pumps used in bodies ofwater to pump fluids and solids from within the body of water, or at thebottom of the body of water, are also known. Examples of such devicesare described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,610; U.S. Pat. No.4,553,902 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,146. Flotation devices typicallydescribed in these patents comprise a small vehicle or flotation supportthat enables the pump to be buoyantly maintained on a body of waterwhile water is processed through and by the pump.

Flotation devices have also been developed to support submersible pumpsin which the arrangement allows the submersible pump to be verticallylowered from the flotation device to or near the bottom of the body ofwater, and then raised again to the flotation device. Such systems arelimited in the depth to which the submersible pump can be lowered due tothe structure of the flotation device, the configuration of thesubmersible pump and the means used for lowering the pump to the bottomof the body of water.

In certain applications, such as consolidation or management of tailingsponds, it is necessary to pump the tailings material from the bottom ofthe pond, which may be accomplished using a flotation device withassociated submersible pumps. In such applications, the tailings orslurries at the bottom of the pond are stratified and represent varyingtypes of materials (e.g., thin fine tailings and mature fine tailings(MFT)). It may be desirable or necessary in some applications,therefore, to lower the pump to a particular depth in order toselectively pump particular tailings or slurries that reside at a givenlevel or stratification at the bottom of the pond.

Heretofore, the ability to dynamically adjust the depth to whichsubmersible pumps may be lowered or positioned in a body of water from aflotation platform has been problematic. The depth to which the pump islowered is typically adjusted, in conventional systems, by adding one ormore lengths of metal pipe to the pump discharge conduits, therebyenabling the lowering of the pump to a predetermined level. However, thedetermination of the depth to which the pump is to be lowered, thenmanipulating the pump to the flotation device and taking the pumpoff-line to add sections of piping to achieve the required loweringdepth, all comprise a time-consuming and costly endeavor, particularlyin terms of the limited space that is available on flotation platformsfor storing the addition piping inventory and in the significant amountof labor required to modify the pump.

It would be advantageous, therefore, to provide a system for selectivedepth positioning of submersible pumps by use of static and dynamicapparatus and arrangements. It would also be advantageous to provide aflotation barge for supporting one or more submersible pumps thatfacilitates positioning the pumps at locations within the body of water,and at variable depths within the body of water, to improve efficienciesin the pumping operation.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an amphibious or flotational device for supporting one or moresubmersible pumps, the flotational device is structurally configured toprovide the means for enabling both static and dynamic positioning ofthe submersible pumps at selected depths below the flotational device,and to provide means for improved pay-out and storage of exible pipingthat improves the dynamic positioning of the submersible pumps.

In a first aspect of the disclosure, a flotation platform, also referredto herein as a flotation barge, is structured for supporting at leastone submersible pump and for lowering the pump into a body of fluid,typically comprising water containing solids. The flotation platform mayaccommodate multiple numbers of submersible pumps, each submersible pumpbeing positioned and secured to the flotation platform in a manner thatenables the submersible pump to be selectively positioned at variabledepths below the flotation barge.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the selective depth to which thesubmersible pump may be lowered is accomplished by providing dynamicpositioning elements that enable the pump to be lowered to a variableand selected depth.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the selective depth to which thesubmersible pump may be lowered is accomplished by providing staticpositioning elements that enable the dynamic positioning range of thepump to be increased.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the dynamic and static positioningelements may be used in tandem to achieve a selected dynamic positioningrange of the pump. The dynamic positioning elements may also be usedsingly for positioning the submersible pump to a selected depth.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the adjustment of the depth towhich each pump is lowered may be accomplished from a position that isremote from the flotation platform, thereby enabling operation of theflotation platform in inclement weather conditions and at reducedmanpower.

In a second aspect of the disclosure, the dynamic positioning elementsassociated with the flotation platform are structured to enable moreadvantageous dynamic positioning of the submersible pumps. Specifically,the dynamic positioning elements include at least one flexible conduitor hose that is operatively connected to the discharge of a submersiblepump. The dynamic positioning elements also include a take-up mechanismthat operates to manage the taking up and feeding out of the flexibleconduit in a mariner that assures that the flexible conduit will notkink or become entangled with the pump or other matter in the body offluid. The take-up mechanism allows the flotation platform andsubmersible pumps to be operated in inclement conditions (e.g., winter)and, most advantageously, enables remote operation and positioning ofthe pumps to selected depths.

In a third aspect of the disclosure, methods are disclosed fordynamically lowering a submersible pump to a selected depth below aflotation barge to which the submersible pump is secured employingdynamic positioning elements in accordance with the disclosure herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of themethods and apparatus as set forth in the disclosure, specificembodiments will now be described, by way of example, and with referenceto the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a flotation barge in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the flotation barge shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of the flotation barge illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view in elevation of the flotation barge as illustratedin FIG. 3, rotated 90 degrees clockwise;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a manifold of submersible pumps, wherethe elements and structures of the flotation barge have been removed forsimplification of viewing the pump arrangements;

FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation of one portion of the flotation bargeillustrating two submersible pumps in relative vertical and horizontalarrangement;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the static positioning elementsand dynamic positioning elements in accordance with a first aspect ofthe invention for lowering of a submersible pump to a selected depth;

FIG. 8 is a side view in elevation of a plurality of submersible pumpsillustrating the variable static adjustments of the submersible pumpthat may be achieved by use of the static positioning elements and thedynamic positioning elements in accordance with a first aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a flotationbarge suitably structured for supporting the dynamic positioningelements of the first aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the flotation barge illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view in elevation of the pontoon illustrated in FIG.9;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the dynamicpositioning elements of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the operational aspects of the dynamicpositioning elements illustrated in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of a flotation barge 10 that isstructured to support one or more operable submersible pumps 12 inaccordance with the present disclosure. The flotation barge 10 generallycomprises a platform 14 which may support operational features, such asa control room 16 in which the electronic operating elements of theflotation barge 10 are housed, including, for example, computer systemsand controls. The flotation barge 10 may be structured with a roof orhousing 18, shown in FIG. 4, which encloses at least part of theplatform 14, especially over the location of the pumps. The housing 18may be structured with a hoist or crane system 20 for effecting movementof the submersible pumps 12 into and out of position for operation in abody of water. The flotation barge 10 may further be structured with acrane system 22 for servicing the flotation barge 10, and may includeone or more winches 24 for maneuvering the platform 14.

The flotation barge 10 is structured to support at least one, or aplurality of, submersible pumps 12 in a manner that enables thesubmersible pumps 12 to be raised and lowered to a selected depth belowthe flotation barge 10, and to be hoisted to a level at or above theplatform 14 for storage out of the water. In the particular embodimentof the flotation barge 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a grouping of sixsubmersible pumps 12 is arranged centrally to the platform 14. It isnoted that the centrally grouped submersible pumps 12 are those whichare positioned and maintained for active service (although all pumps maynot be in service at the same time). The platform 14 may be structuredto accommodate a number of off-service pumps 28 that may be ready, ormay be made ready, for service as needed.

In can generally be seen in FIGS. 1-5 that the central area of theflotation barge 10 is structured with openings 30 extending through theplatform 14 through which a submersible pump 12 is movable from a raisedposition, at or near the bottom of the platform 14, to a loweredposition where the pump is positioned in a body of fluid at a selecteddepth. The vertical movement of the submersible pumps 12 between araised and lowered position is effected by a dynamic suspension system32 from which each submersible pump 12 is suspended. The dynamicsuspension system generally includes a pump support member 34, which isshown in FIGS, 1-5 as an A-frame structure; however, other pump supportmembers 34 may include, for example, a jib hoist or other suitablystructured devices.

Each submersible pump 12 is suspended from an electrically operatedhoist device 36, such as a 15 tonne hoist, that is rigidly mounted tothe pump support member 34. Each hoist device 36 is driven by a suitablysized and powered motor that is powered from a variable frequency drive(VFD). In order to determine the vertical position of the submersiblepump 12, each motor is equipped with a shaft mounted resolver 38 (FIGS.4 and 6). The resolver 38 provides a precise feedback of motoroperation. Since motor operation directly correlates to the pay-out ortake-up of the hoist device 36, an algorithm is employed to positivelyestablish the position of the submersible pump 12 for any point oftravel, as explained more fully below. In addition to precisepositioning of the pump 12 to achieve a selected depth, the VFD can beused to control the speed of pump movement, and facilitates the mostdesirable motion in terms of start and stop ramps.

In accordance with a first aspect of the disclosure, the submersiblepumps 12 may be lowered to a selected depth below the flotation barge 10by means of static positioning elements and/or dynamic positioningmeans. The ability to precisely position the submersible pump at aselected level is particularly advantageous, for example, in themanagement of tailings from various mining operations. In such milltailings, the bottom of the pond becomes stratified with materials ofdifferent particulate quality or content, and it may be desirable toposition the submersible pump to suction a particular stratum of themili tailings. Therefore, the ability to achieve a dynamic range inwhich the pump may operate, and then to selectively modify the depth towhich the pump may be lowered within that dynamic range, is advantageousover prior systems.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, each submersible pump 12 issuspended by a hoist cable 40 from the hoist 36. The submersible pump 12is typically connected to the hoist cable 40 by a hook device 42. Thesubmersible pump 12 is structured with an inlet 44 which is oriented forpositioning in or near the materials at the bottom of the body of fluidthat are to be suctioned and removed. The submersible pump 12 is alsostructured with a discharge outlet 46 having known and conventionalmeans for attaching ancillary piping thereto.

In accordance with the first aspect of the disclosure, dynamicpositioning elements 50 are provided for effecting a dynamic positioningof the submersible pump 12 at a selected depth below the water level orlevel of the flotation barge 10. In general, the dynamic positioningelements 50 include a flexible conduit 52 having a first end 54 that isattached proximate the discharge outlet 46 of the submersible pump 12and a second end 56 which may, as illustrated in FIG. 5, be connected toa rigid pipe 58 that leads to a discharge header 60 for deposit of thesuctioned slurry away from the flotation barge 10. As described andillustrated below, the second end 56 of the flexible conduit 52 may bedirected to a point away from and off of the flotation barge 10 fordeposition of the suctioned slurry away from the flotation barge 10.

The flexible conduit 52 generally passes under the platform 14 of theflotation barge 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, and enables thesubmersible pump 12 to be lowered below the fluid level. The length offlexible conduit 52 that may be accommodated on the flotation barge 10is limited, however, and a finite length of flexible conduit 52 isprovided in the arrangement. Thus, for example, if the particularpumping or dredging application requires the submersible pump to havethe general capacity of operating at twenty meters below the waterlevel, then the flotation barge 10 may be structured and sized toaccommodate a flexible conduit 52 of twenty meters in length for eachsubmersible pump 12 that is in operation on the flotation barge 10.

If, however, it is thereafter determined that the pump should be taskedto operate at a greater depth to suction materials that, for example,are in lower stratifications of a tailings pond, then the finite lengthof the flexible hose 52 presents a concomitant limitation to theincrease in the desired operation depth. Therefore, in a further aspectof the present disclosure, static positioning elements 64 are providedfor increasing the dynamic range at which the submersible pump 12 mayoperate.

As seen in FIGS. 6-8, the static positioning elements 64 generallycomprise one or more lengths of pipe spools 66 that can be added to thedischarge outlet 46 of the submersible pump 12 to increase the dynamicrange at which the submersible pump 12 can operate. Each pipe spool 66may generally be two meters in length and is adapted for connection tothe discharge outlet 46 or to another pipe spool by known methods (e.g.,securement together of cooperating flanges on the discharge outlet andthe pipe spool by threaded bolts). The first end 54 of the flexibleconduit 52 is then connected to the pipe spool 66 by known methods(e.g., securement together of cooperating flanges on the pipe spool andthe flexible conduit by threaded bolts).

Attaching the pipe spools 66 to the discharge outlet 46 involves the useof the overhead crane 20 only to handle the pipe spool 60 inserts. Thesubmersible pump 12 is raised by the hoist device 36 of the dynamicsuspension system 32 to a position partially above the deck 68 of theplatform 14. This provides access to the discharge pipe 46. Prior toconnection of the flexible conduit 52 to the discharge pipe 46 orinserted pipe spool 66, the flexible conduit 52 may be secured by aportable clamp (not shown) which prevents the flexible conduit 52 frommoving or falling through the opening 30 in the platform 14. The pipespool 66 is connected to the discharge outlet 46 by known methods, thesubmersible pump 12 is then lowered approximately two meters to provideaccess to the opposing end of the pipe spool 66, and the flexibleconduit 52 is connected to the pipe spool 66 by known methods.

In adding additional pipe spools 66, the submersible pump 12 is raisedby the hoist device 36 to a level that provides access to the point ofconnection of the flexible conduit 52 to the existing pipe spool 52 andthe flexible conduit 52 is disconnected from the existing pipe spool.The pump 12 is then lowered by the hoist device 36, thus creating spacefor the insertion (or removal) of a pipe spool 66 insert, and connectionof the flexible conduit 52 to the inserted pipe spool 66 is completed.The pump can then be raised, the flange connections re-secured and theclamp removed from the flexible conduit 52, and the pump can then bereturned to service. The relative depths achieved by staticrepositioning of the submersible pumps 12 are generally depicted in FIG.8.

Use of the static positioning elements 64 as described above provides ameans for statically modifying the nominal depth to which thesubmersible pump 12 can be lowered, and over which the dynamic range ofthe submersible pump 12 can operate. That is, the submersible pump 12 isestablished to have a selected range of depth, or dynamic range, towhich the pump 12 can be lowered with the existing piping arrangement.As used herein, “nominal depth” refers to the center of the dynamicrange at which the submersible pump 12 is established to operate.Changing the nominal depth, therefore, involves changing therelationship between the discharge outlet 46 of the submersible pump 12and the first end 54 of the flexible conduit 52. By inserting lengths ofpipe spool 66 between the discharge outlet 46 and the first end 54 ofthe flexible conduit 52, as previously described, that relationship, andthus the nominal depth, can be modified to provide greater depths atwhich the pump can be placed while the flexible conduit 52 configurationremains unchanged.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, if the submersible pump 12 andflexible conduit 52 arrangement are currently positioned to operate at anominal depth 70 of five meters, the submersible pump 12 would have adynamic extended range 72 of from three to seven meters. By inserting atwo meter pipe spool 66 between the discharge outlet 46 and the firstend 54 of the flexible conduit 52, the pump dynamic range 72 will changefrom five to seven meters, or by an increased operating depth, indicatedat D. However, the flexible conduit 52 configuration will remain asbefore. This operation is repeatable for various nominal depths.

During such an operation the calibration of the dynamic positioningcontrol is unchanged, since the relationship between the submersiblepump 12 and the hoist hook 42 is constant. Because the relationshipbetween the hook 42 and the submersible pump 12 remains constant, theelevation of the submersible pump 12 can be accurately monitored. Thetotal travel of the hoist cable 40 is designed to accommodate the fullrange of movement of the submersible pump 12 without the need to detachthe pump 12 from the hoist hook 42. The range of movement will coverboth the dynamic motion (e.g., +/− two meters) and also any additionalmovement resulting from static repositioning (e.g., two meterincrements) due to additional lengths of pipe spool 66. With the hoistbeing constantly coupled to the pump, it is not necessary to recalibratethe pump positioning control system should a static adjustment be made.In the event that the position of the pump is lost by the controlsystem, recalibration is a simple matter of raising the hoist/pump tothe hoist high-limit switch, thus causing a recalibration of the pumpposition control to “zero”. Notably, each hoist device 36 may beequipped with a failsafe mechanical full-load brake.

It should be noted that simultaneous operation of both the pump and thepump positioning system is an important consideration. For this reason,the pump positioning VFEYs may, in one suitable aspect, be locatedremotely from the flotation barge 10 in, for example, an on-shore i.e.,off-barge) electrical control room. Alternatively, operation of thepumps may be controlled from the control room 16 on the flotation barge10.

Referring again to the dynamic positioning elements 50 shown in FIGS.1-8, it should be noted that the distance between the first end 54 andthe second end 56 of the flexible conduit 52 produces a free bend radiussignificantly greater than a minimum bend-radius of the flexible conduit52, thus preventing kinking of the flexible conduit 52. The flexibleconduit 52 length is such that the pump is free to move through adynamic range greater than +/− two meters. A steel wire threading cable76, as depicted in FIG. 6, is permanently installed in each pumplocation and follows the path of the flexible conduit 52 to the pump 12.The threading cable 76 is secured to the flexible conduit 52 and also tothe platform 14. The threading cable 76 is also secured to the pumpdischarge outlet 46. The threading cable 76 is used to recover theflexible conduit 52 in the event of a system failure, and to assist inre-threading a new flexible conduit 52 in the event that replacement orrepair is required.

FIGS. 9-11 depict an alternative embodiment of a flotation barge 100that is also suitably adapted to support at least one submersible pump12 for lowering the submersible pump 12 to a selected depth using staticpositioning elements and dynamic positioning elements as previouslydescribed. The flotation barge 100 generally comprises a centralplatform 102 which is structured and sized to support a housing 104thereon. The housing 104 generally provides cover for operationsequipment, such as control devices and mechanical systems, and mayprovide housing for personnel in certain applications. The housing 104may vary is structure and size from that which is shown in FIGS. 9-11.

The barge 100 further comprises one or more pontoons 108 that arepositioned on either side of the central platform 102. As depicted inFIG. 1, the barge 100 may be configured with two pontoons 108. Thepontoons 108 are each structured to support at least one submersiblepump 12 in a manner that allows the submersible pump 12 to be raised andlowered a selective distance from the pontoon 108, as previouslydescribed herein. Specifically, each pontoon 108 is configured with anopening 110 through which a submersible pump 12 is positionable, as bestseen in FIGS. 9 and 10.

At least one submersible pump 12 is secured to each pontoon 108. Eachsubmersible pump 12 is secured to the pontoon 108 in a manner whichenables the submersible pump 12 to be raised and lowered relative to thepontoon 108. By way of example only, a hoist mechanism 112 may bepositioned relative to the opening 110 and is positioned to enableraising and lowering of the pump 12. The hoist mechanism 112 may bestructured with means for housing or providing mechanical hoistingmeans, such as a motor. The hoist mechanism 112 may suitably providesupporting structure for accommodating a hoisting cable 114 for raisingand lowering the submersible pump 12, and may also provide support meansfor accommodating power cabling (not shown) for the submersible pump 12to provide power to the pump motor (not shown) in known fashion.

Selective movement of each submersible pump 12 is accomplished, at leastin part, by employing static positioning elements and dynamicpositioning elements 50 as previously described. Accordingly, asillustrated in FIGS. 9-12, the discharge outlet 46 of each submersiblepump 12 may be connected to a flexible conduit 52 in the mannerpreviously described. The flexible conduit 52 passes under the pontoon108, and the greater length of the flexible conduit 52 resides below thepontoon 108 when the pump is in operation at the bottom of the body ofwater.

The flexible conduit 52 of the flotation barge 10, 110, while providingthe ability to selectively lower the submersible pump 12 to a desireddepth, presents potential problems that result in a particularinnovation in this arrangement. Particularly, the flexible conduit 52may be subject to kinking or bending and may become entangled in thepump, or may become entangled in matter that resides in a body of water,or may become entangled with other flexible conduits 52 of adjacentpumps. Additionally, the freezing conditions of wintertime can cause thematerial in the flexible conduit 52, such as mature fine tailings (MFT)suctioned from a tailings pond, to freeze in the flexible conduit 52,which can cause the flexible conduit to bend, kink or rupture. Theinnovative mechanism of the invention overcomes this problem bycontrolling the maintenance and maneuverability of the flexible conduit52.

Thus, in a second aspect of the present disclosure, a take-up mechanism120 is provided for addressing the problems encountered with maintainingthe flexible conduit 52. FIGS. 9-13 depict an alternative embodiment ofthe barge 100, and depict a take-up mechanism 120 which enables theflexible conduit 52 to be raised to the top of the barge 100. This isparticularly advantageous in winter conditions to enable the flexibleconduit 52 to be removed from the freezing water. Further, the abilityto hoist the flexible conduit 52 to the top of the barge 100 alsoprovides advantageous storage of the flexible conduit 52. The take-upmechanism 120 also permits selective pay-out of the flexible conduit 52in conditions where, for example, the pump 12 is positioned to operateat a depth somewhere between the bottom of the barge 10 and the bottomof the body of water.

In a first embodiment of the take-up mechanism 120 of the presentdisclosure, the take-up mechanism 120 includes a curved hose bib 122that is slidingly received on or relative to the deck 118 of the pontoon108. In one suitable arrangement as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a track 124may be provided on which the hose bib 122 is slidingly received, therebyenabling the hose bib 122 to move from a point near the hoist mechanism112 to a point distanced from the hoist mechanism 112. The hose bib 122is caused to move back and forth on the track 124 by amovement-producing device 126, such as a winch 128. The relativepositioning of the flexible conduit 52 and submersible pump 12 below thebarge 100 resulting from a particular position of the curved hose bib122 is demonstrated in FIG. 11.

The lateral movement of the hose bib 122 along the track 124 feeds out(also referred to as “pays out”) and takes in the flexible conduit 52 aselected amount to enable precise dynamic positioning of the flexiblepump 12 at a desired depth. The curvature of the hose bib 122 isselected to maintain the required radius of curvature of the flexibleconduit 52 to thereby prevent kinking in the flexible conduit 52. Forexample, a 12-inch conduit or hose requires a six foot radius ofcurvature to avoid bending or kinking. Thus, the curvature of the hosebib 122 may be selected to provide the radius required to preventkinking in a given diameter of conduit, and may preferably have a sixfoot radius of curvature which will accommodate twelve inch diameterconduits and those of lesser diameter dimension.

In addition to the curved hose bib 122, the flexible conduit 52 may beguided in its movement along the deck 118 of the barge 100 by beingdirected about one or more guides 130 that are secured to the deck 118of the barge 100. The guides may, in one embodiment, be rotatable abouta central axis to enhance the guiding of the flexible conduit 52 aboutthe guide 130.

The depicted arrangement allows the flexible conduit 52 to be fed out asufficient distance to allow free flotation of the flexible conduit 52on the surface of the water, and also allows the flexible conduit 52 tobe taken in for storage on the deck of the barge 100. While a singlehose bib 122 is shown associated with each submersible pump 12, a seriesof spaced-apart hose bibs 122 may be arranged and employed to loop theflexible conduit 52 in an S-looped or similar arrangement on the deck118 of the barge 110 or pontoon 108 in order to accommodate greaterlengths of flexible conduit 52.

Particular advantages of the take-up mechanism 120 of the inventionshown in FIGS. 9-11 include the ability to take up and maintain theflexible conduit 52 in a horizontal orientation on the barge 100, whichassists in preventing bending or kinking. The curved hose bib 122 isalso structured to receive a single section of flexible conduit 52, alsoreferred to herein as a “single feed” arrangement, which furtherprevents tangling of the conduit upon itself or crushing of one sectionof flexible conduit 52 by another section of the flexible conduit 52, asis experienced with use of rotary drum reel devices that take up acontinuous length or section of conduit on a spool-type reel with theresult that the reeled-in conduit can wind on top of itself.

Additionally, the sliding movement of the hose bib 122 may be controlledon board (i.e., on the barge) or may be controlled remotely, which isnot available when using rotary drum reel devices that require mannedoperational supervision. Further, the curved hose bib 122 canaccommodate a varied number of flexible conduits of differing diameters,which is not possible with spool-type reels since the large size of thereel prevents exchanging the reel for a differently diametered reel tosuit flexible conduits of various diameters. The horizontal andlow-profile arrangement of the take-up mechanism 120 also preserves thelimited space that is available on a barge 100 and enables themanipulation and compact handling of flexible conduits 52 associatedwith multiple numbers of pumps 12, whereas use of a spool-type reelenables the use of only a single reel given the very large size of thespool.

A further embodiment of a take-up mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 12and 13, which depict a vertical take-up mechanism 140 for taking in theflexible conduit 52 associated with a submersible pump 12 on a barge100. FIG.12 illustrates a section of a platform 142 of a flotation bargeand schematically illustrates the positioning of a plurality ofsubmersible pumps 12 in relation to the platform 142 and a correspondingplurality of vertical take-up mechanisms 140, one associated with eachsingle submersible pump 12. It should be noted that while not expresslydepicted in FIG. 12, each of the submersible pumps 12 is suspended froma dynamic suspension system that is capable of hoisting the submersiblepump 12 toward and away from the platform 142 in a manner similar to theembodiments and arrangements described and illustrated with respect toFIGS. 1-11. The hoisting mechanisms are not shown in FIG. 12 for thesake of clearly illustrating the take-up mechanism 140 of the presentembodiment.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, the vertical take-up mechanism 140comprises a vertical rack assembly 150 having two spaced apartstanchions 152, 154 that are structured to be movable relative to eachother. In one particularly suitable arrangement, as depicted moreclearly in FIG. 13, the stanchion 152 that is located closest to thehoisting mechanism 156 and pump support member 158 for raising andlowering the submersible pump 12 may be stationarily secured to the deck160 of the platform 142, while the stanchion 154 that is distanced fromthe hoisting mechanism 156 is slidably movable along the deck 160, suchas by being connected to the deck 160 by means of a track 162 or othersuitable device for effecting movement.

The stationary stanchion 152 may be structured with a series ofadjacently-positioned rollers 168 that are arranged in a curved quadrantconfiguration that provides a selected radius of curvature. The flexibleconduit 52, extending from the discharge outlet 46 of the submersiblepump 12 and up through the platform 142, is trained over the curvedquadrant of rollers 168 of the stationary stanchion 152. The movablestanchion 154 likewise may be structured with a series ofadjacently-positioned rollers that are arranged in a semi-circular arrayof rollers 170, and two such semi-circular arrays of rollers 170, 172may be arranged in spaced apart arrangement to provide a channel 174through which the flexible conduits 52 is trained. The arrays of rollers170, 172 are configured with a curvature that maintains the appropriateradius of curvature for the given diameter of flexible conduit 52 (e.g.,six feet),

As best understood from FIG. 12, the stationary stanchion 152 mayfurther comprise a pair of spaced apart walls 174, 176 between which thequadrant of rollers 168 is journalled. Likewise, the movable stanchion154 may comprise a pair of spaced apart walls 178, 180 between which thesemi-circular arrays of rollers 170, 172 are journalled. It may be notedfurther that the distance between the walls 174, 176 of the stationarystanchion 152 and the walls 178, 180 of the movable stanchion 154 may besufficient to enable either one or two flexible conduits to be trainedover the roller arrays.

Again, as might be better understood from FIG. 13, when the submersiblepump 12 is to be raised, the movably stanchion 154 is urged to movealong the track 162 in a direction away from the stationary stanchion152 which enables the flexible conduit 52 to be drawn up by the verticaltake-up mechanism 140. Conversely, movement of the movable stanchion 154toward the stationary stanchion 152 causes the flexible conduit 52 to befed out, thereby allowing the pump 12 to be lowered relative to theplatform 142. The second end 56 of the flexible conduit 52 may beconnected to a charge header pipe 184 that directs the suctioned slurryaway from the platform 142.

The vertical take-up mechanism, in another aspect of the invention, maycomprise a single upright member or stanchion that is slidably securedto a track member secured to the deck of the platform. In like manner,the slidable movement of the single upright member toward and away fromthe hoisting mechanism, in a manner similar to the curved hose bib 122of FIG. 9, will provide a taking up and feeding out of the flexibleconduit.

It should also be noted that the barge arrangements and take-upmechanisms illustrated in FIGS. 19-13 also provide the means forenabling the dynamic depth range of the submersible pump to bestatically repositioned by the static positioning elements describedpreviously herein.

The mechanisms described and illustrated herein are adaptable to manytypes and sizes of flotation vessels and barges, and are adaptable tovarious types of dredging elements other than submersible pumps.Therefore, reference herein to specific elements, mechanisms, functions,constructions or configurations are by way of example only and not byway of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floating barge arrangement for supporting asubmersible pump, comprising: a flotation platform having a deck; asuspension mechanism positioned on said deck and having means forlifting and lowering a submersible pump into a body of fluid; at leastone submersible pump suspended from said suspension mechanism andpositioned to be selectively lowered below said platform, said at leastone submersible pump having an inlet and a discharge outlet; and dynamicpositioning elements supported by said platform for facilitating dynamicpositioning of said submersible pump at selected depths below saidplatform.
 2. The floating barge arrangement according to claim 1,wherein said dynamic positioning elements include at least one flexibleconduit secured to said discharge outlet of said at least onesubmersible pump.
 3. The floating barge arrangement according to claim 2wherein said dynamic positioning elements further include a take-upmechanism for taking up and paying out said flexible conduit.
 4. Thefloating barge arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said take-upmechanism comprises a slidable element that is movable from a positionin proximity to said suspension mechanism to a point distanced from saidsuspension mechanism.
 5. The floating barge arrangement according toclaim 4 wherein said slidable element is a curved hose bib positioned toengage said flexible conduit, said hose bib being slidably movablewithin a track.
 6. The floating barge arrangement according to claim 4wherein said slidable element is a movable upstanding stanchion.
 7. Thefloating barge arrangement according to claim 8 wherein said take-upmechanism further comprises an upright stationary stanchion.
 8. Thefloating barge arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said uprightstationary stanchion is structured with a plurality of rollersconfigured in an array having a selected radius of curvature, said arrayof rollers being positioned to support said flexible conduit.
 9. Thefloating barge arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said movableupstanding stanchion is structured with a plurality of rollersconfigured in a semi-circular array having a selected radius ofcurvature and being positioned to support said flexible conduit.
 10. Thefloating barge arrangement according to claim 8 wherein said movableupstanding stanchion is structured with two arrays comprising aplurality of rollers configured in a semi-circular array having selectedradius of curvature, said two arrays of rollers being spaced apart toform a channel to receive said flexible conduit therein.
 11. Thefloating barge arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said take-upmechanism is structured with a single feed capacity.
 12. The floatingbarge arrangement according to claim 1 further comprising staticpositioning elements securable to said discharge outlet of said at leastone submersible pump to enable static positioning of said at least onesubmersible pump at a selected depth below said platform.
 13. Thefloating barge arrangement according to claim 12 wherein said staticpositioning elements comprises at least one pipe spool structured to beconnected to said discharge outlet between said discharge outlet ands-a-said dynamic positioning elements.
 14. A method for dynamicallypositioning a submersible pump relative to a flotation platform,comprising: providing a flotation platform structured for supporting asubmersible pump suspended from a hoisting mechanism secured to saidflotation platform; providing a submersible pump suspended from thehoisting mechanism; providing a flexible conduit attached to a dischargeoutlet of the submersible pump for conveying suctioned fluid from saidsubmersible pump when submerged below the flotation platform; providinga movable take-up mechanism slidably positioned on said flotationplatform and adapted to receive said flexible conduit in engagementtherewith; causing said movable take-up mechanism to move from a firstpoint in proximity to said submersible pump to a point distanced fromsaid submersible pump, thereby effecting the taking up of said flexibleconduit by said take-up mechanism to dynamically adjust the positioningof the submersible pump to a selected depth and position below theflotation platform.
 15. The method according to claim 14 wherein saidtake-up mechanism is oriented in a horizontal position on said flotationplatform to move said flexible conduit horizontally relative to saidflotation platform.
 16. The method according to claim 15 wherein saidtake-up mechanism is oriented vertically relative to said floatationplatform to move said flexible conduit vertically relative to saidflotation platform.
 17. The method according to claim 15 furthercomprising causing said movable take-up mechanism to move from a pointdistanced from said submersible pump to a point proximate saidsubmersible pump to effect a pay-out of said flexible conduit.
 18. Themethod according to claim 14 further comprising statically repositioningthe depth range of said submersible pump for employing staticpositioning elements to statically increase the nominal depth to whichsaid at least one submersible pump may be selectively lowered.
 19. Themethod according to claim 18 wherein said statically repositioning thedepth range of said submersible pump further comprises providing atleast one pipe spool and connecting the pipe spool to the dischargeoutlet of the at least one submersible pump.